Decisions

Good points made by all. But, unless I missed it in my read through, remember, the academy experience is the means -- the life (and career) you make in the Service is the end. Your lists are about the schools (means) not the branch of Service. Maybe look out with a little longer view???

In many respects it's like any journey; are you taking the 4WD or the car that gets great gas mileage. The interstate, or the back roads. The high, or the low, or as Semper so aptly points out, the road "less traveled."

While many on these forums would kill to have your choice (and congratulations on the accomplishment!), in my opinion you should focus on the destination (great golf courses aside! :rolleyes:) and think about the Service branch in which you wish to spend your career. Then choose the company school.
 
Sorry to disappoint USAFA2013, but I still won't make my decision until after Orientation. I hope you're not the one waiting on that appointment. The wait was bad enough as it was, I don't think I could hold out until May.

SE, great poem! That is a very beautiful way of putting this dilemma.

RD2013, I am definitely considering that, and it seems to point me toward Navy. It seems to open up more options that I'm still looking into, especially if my sight goes bad or some other reason to lose pilot qualification. i.e. surface warfare, special warfare, and even USMC.
 
gdesna:
Yeah, I had a problem with the showers at USAFA during Summer Seminar... for two minutes, and then you realize there isn't a big deal (no joke intended).
JAM:
4 digs get a pass every weekend? Does this mean what I think it means? If so, awesome! If not, then my assumptions were correct about doolie year.
 
hardly. 4 digs get 5 passes per half semester. So the first semester they have 10 times besides the unlimited sunday sponsor passes to leave.
 
well, not too bad, especially considering that i'll probably never been bored or out of things to do/study.
 
hardly. 4 digs get 5 passes per half semester. So the first semester they have 10 times besides the unlimited sunday sponsor passes to leave.

That is the "Minimum" if I'm not mistaken. If you "Done Did Good" in certain areas, it is not uncommon to be given more passes. Thus, more time on the weekends. later... mike...
 
at the end of each semester, if you make any of the lists (deans, comms, athletic) or all 3, you get 5 passes for each. so i made deans and comms, so i get 10 extra passes, plus the 5 per half semester. the 10 extra passes are performance passes, so they never expire. the 5 are basic passes, which means they're gone after prog and they dont roll over. you get 5 new ones
 
How much time does each pass allow you to be away from AFA? Is one pass for the whole weekend? or what? It sounds like a whole lot of passes are available. I understand the sponsor Sunday pass - and that really is great! Sponsors are amazing ...
 
1 pass per 1 day. I.e. My son is coming home this weekend for the 3 day weekend. He will use 3 passes. He'll sign out and leave at 6pm (He has weights and conditioning practice) and I'll have him back before 7pm on Monday. Even if he could leave after his last class; around noon; it's still 3 passes. It's basically 1 pass for every OVER NIGHT that you are gone. later... mike....
 
10 passes per semester - that is nearly every weekend - esp when you look at the holiday weekends. In the Winter that is skiing nearly every weekend - no?
At other academies plebes get ONE pass per semester. I know my daughter can't go to Wal-Mart without a pass. Just another way they are different.

the point is - the academies are not the same here - the rules are clearly different. as are the ability to earn extra passes.
 
Day Pass = 1 basic pass unit (must be back before TAPS that night)
Night Pass = 2 BPUs (must be back by TAPS the NEXT day)
3 passes will get you from Friday till Sunday ACQ (or TAPS as a firstie).
4 for a three day weekend.
 
10 passes per semester - that is nearly every weekend - esp when you look at the holiday weekends. In the Winter that is skiing nearly every weekend - no?
At other academies plebes get ONE pass per semester. I know my daughter can't go to Wal-Mart without a pass. Just another way they are different.

the point is - the academies are not the same here - the rules are clearly different. as are the ability to earn extra passes.

We have to use our passes to make a trip to Wal-Mart, what's your point?

Yes, we have more passes. 10 per semester isn't how it should be looked, 5 per HALF semester, can't roll them over. That means they could leave only 5 days per half semester. Many don't use their sponsors and therefore never use those passes. Sure, extra passes can be earned, etc. etc. But the majority will only be able to go out 10 DAYS in the fall, 10 or more DAYS in the Spring.

Ya, its not as tough as WP, we're so babied cause we can go out....blah blah blah. Get over it.
 
There are definitely a lot of passes for AF. My D has never needed a pass to leave. However, you do need a car! Those are a little harder to come by! This is not saying that AF is easier. It is just another difference. One of those debatable pro/con issues. Choose the career you want, Choose the academy that will get you to that goal and then you will deal with the rest. The more trivial issues, though, are still fun to ponder...
Although most cadets won't agree with me, I don't like the fact that you get to wear civilian clothes after recognition. I know it takes a lot longer to earn that privilege at Navy, not sure about WP. I was surprised to see 4degrees in civilian clothes in the evening ON campus at our visit last spring. Oh well, that is just me... I love the uniforms.... I also think it is good PR when you all are out and about Colorado Springs in uniform.
 
I think WP has to wear a uniform far more than USAFA and more than USNA.

While its not a reason they did it, I think, a big reason I like to be able to wearn civvies and not a uniform is warmth! Our service uniforms are not very warm, and I feel like I can't put enough underneath to keep warm or accessories like a scarf to keep warm either. I wouldn't care if I had to wear the uniform, but I like being able to hunker down in a huge jacket when its -5 out! :)
 
Yeah, I am surprised you all aren't given warmer clothes.:confused: I guess those PJ's must have busted the clothes budget!? :shake:Aaahhhhhhhh
 
The point was a AFA cadet can go to Wal-Mart 10 times a semester - if they can get there. I can go visit my daughter but can't take her out of town. But we cope. :wink:
Uniforms - I don't know all the rules but I think next year she can come and go in "cadet casual" but only firsties can wear civies on post - I believe. Speaking of warmth - they make these kids where dress gray's and don't even give them a coat! It is basically one layer over the long undies. brrrrrrrrr. When she left at Christmas in a snowstorm (10" of snow - she had to wear her dress grays and shoes! Not even boots in the snow.
I hope she broke out her long sleeves for her "as for class" today or they let them wear ACU's- it was 2 deg this am. *shiver*.
Salj is right - these are trivial differences. Everyone plays by the same rules whereever you are so you don't even think about them.
Rules like uniforms and passes shouldn't impact a decision.
My daughter has a good friend at AFA and one at Navy and they have fun comparing all the differences in the rules between academies.
 
speaking of going to walmart to buy things, are cadets at usafa allowed to make online purchases, then having the packages shipped directly to them?
 
I know two AFA cadets whose parents buy online and have stuff shipped to them. Whether they can do the shopping???

I can't say enough wonderful things about sponsor families. That are the absolute BEST!

CC: I'm so jealous!!! You get your cadet till Monday! Wow!

My cadets are going skiing this w/e with a few buddies in someplace called "Winter Park." This mother is somewhat nervous, since they are used to getting skewered with swords but sliding down snowy hills? Who thought that up? Still, a big thank you to the sponsor family who is putting all five of them up and feeding them (a miracle!), taking them to the slopes, clothing them, and taking them all to assorted churches.
 
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